Buying a used Royal Enfield in California? Check mileage

California life is just a dream for this 2007 Royal Enfield Bullet.

Royal Enfield USA recently announced price cuts across the brand for new Royal Enfield motorcycles. The announcement included the very good news that the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price will be the same for all 50 states.

Americans are familiar with the fact that motor vehicles sold here are often the same across all 49 states whose names are not spelled "C-A-L-I-F-O-R-N-I-A."

California sets higher standards for emissions that require costly extra equipment and testing, the price of which most manufacturers are happy to pass along to customers. Royal Enfield is now the exception.

After the end of Royal Enfield production in the UK in 1970, official imports of Royal Enfields — now from India — to the 49 United States didn't resume until 1995.

California, with its tougher restrictions, didn't get new Royal Enfields at all until 2011.

New Royal Enfields that meet California requirements can be spotted by the small black box and tubing that provides extra emissions control on the front down tube. There now are dealers across California to sell you one of these new motorcycles.

But what if a California resident wants an older, used Royal Enfield, without the added emission controls? California likely won't register it for you unless it really is used: the figure usually cited is 7,500 miles.

It's instructive to look at this CraigsList ad from a seller who fixed up a 2007 Bullet in Long Beach, Calif., only to discover that he can't register it because it is only showing 3,754 miles. He writes:

"So here pops the big question, Why am I selling it? I'm having to sell it for two reasons:

"1. Took the bike to California Highway Patrol to have the bike verified because the bike was sold to me with a title from the state of Utah. CHP told me that because the bike is out of state and has less then 7,000 miles on it that it can't be approved to be ridden in the state of California.

"2. CHP also says that the year and make of this bike doesn't meet California emission standards to be ridden in California.

"So all that hard work, time, and energy only to find out it can't be approved to be ridden in California. None the less, I'm trying to sell this gem of a bike to somebody who is looking out of state or somebody in state who thinks they can make it California approved."

The California Department of Motor Vehicles website ominously entitles its explanation of this "The Bottom Line."

Here it is:

"If you are a California resident and acquire a new car, truck, or motorcycle from another state, it must be certified to meet California smog laws to be registered in California... California considers any vehicle with less than 7,500 miles on the odometer at the time of purchase or trade by a California resident or business, to be a new vehicle. This is true whether or not the vehicle has been registered in another state... If you are moving to California from another state, you may register a new 49-state vehicle if it was first registered by you in your home state, or for military personnel, in the last state of your military service. When applying for vehicle registration in California, you must provide evidence that the vehicle was registered... No motorcycle or diesel-powered vehicle can be converted to California emission standards."

Apparently, if you have an older Royal Enfield registered to you in another state and move to California, you can bring it with you and have it registered. But if you already are a California resident, either buy a California compliant Royal Enfield, or check the mileage on the motorcycle you're buying.

All this applies to officially imported Royal Enfields, the ones with VIN number and emissions tags where they belong. Private imports from India may have a harder time still.

Rent and ride a Royal Enfield in San Francisco

A Dubbelju Royal Enfield on the Marin headlands over the Golden Gate.

The Royal Enfield Bullet conquered the Himalaya Mountains. Now a man who has ridden Royal Enfields there will let you rent and ride one on the streets of San Francisco and the neighboring back roads of Northern California.

Wolfgang Taft has added Royal Enfield Bullets to his fleet at Dubbelju Motorcycle Rentals, 689A Bryant St., San Francisco.  They've been in business since 1991, offering not only great motorcycles but great rides to motorcyclists.

If you're considering buying a Royal Enfield, Dubbelju even offers a deal that lets you apply your rental fee to the purchase price.


Dubbelju's San Francisco rental fleet.

How did this happen? Let Wolfgang introduce himself:

"I have explored most of Europe on two wheels, either on my BMW R50/2 or my old '58 H-D Pan Head. The Pan Head took me through the desert in Northern Africa in the late '80s...

"On some recent trips to Bhutan, Nepal, Tibet, Thailand and India I had the opportunity to ride the famous 500cc Royal Enfield Bullets. I fell in love with the Bullet and had to add this classic bike to Dubbelju’s rental fleet.

Wolfgang and Bullet last year in Tibet on the way from Kathmandu to Lhasa.

"Endless twisty back roads right in our backyard will create the perfect stomping ground for the Bullet. The steep hills in San Francisco are icing on the cake for this classic bike, which is made in almost the same way since 1955. Regardless if you are riding up to Mt. Everest Base Camp or Mt. Tamalpais, you will bring home some unforgettable memories riding on this piece of history."

Dubbelju claims to be the oldest motorcycle rental shop in San Francisco, and the one with the biggest variety of bikes:  BMW, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, KTM, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Triumph and, starting in spring 2011, the classic Royal Enfield Bullet.

Rental price includes unlimited miles, free trip planning, liability insurance and 24-hour emergency service.

"As motorcyclists ourselves, we know your needs, we know the area, and we have ridden the roads we recommend. We’ll get you rolling in the right direction and make sure that you return home with only the best of memories," Wolfgang writes.

Renting a Royal Enfield will cost the same as it would if you chose a Triumph Bonneville: $149/day including liability insurance and unlimited free miles. Prices drop if you go three days or more.

The rent-buy deal with San Francisco dealer Munroe Motors is called 100/100. The customer rents for $100/day and gets 100 free miles (additional miles are 25 cents/mile). If the customer decides to purchase a bike after his rental, Munroe will credit his rental price of $100 towards the purchase of a new or used bike from their fleet.


A younger Wolfgang aboard a 1954 Model 20, 500cc AJS in 1971 near his home town of Stuttgart, Germany.

Unfortunately, I forgot to ask Wolfgang the meaning of the name "Dubbelju" and he's away from email at the moment. I asked his assistant Cherie, who replied:

"Wolfgang always says that 'Dubbelju' is the German phonetic for the letter 'W' and that when the business was started both his and his partner’s name started with the letter 'W.'

Would you have guessed that?




2011 Royal Enfields in California show off emission controls; can you spot them?

We're getting the first look at the 2011 Royal Enfield motorcycles for sale in California and their mandated evaporative emissions systems. These turn out to be black boxes attached to the front downtube of the frame, with hoses running to the gas tank.

I spotted these great pictures in ads for the new motorcycles placed by Doug Douglas Motorcycles in San Bernardino, Calif. Give them a call at 909-884-4776 or see their web site at wwwdouglasmotorcycles.com for information about the C5 and G5 Royal Enfields they have for sale.

Well, what do you think?

If that had been an aftermarket oil coolor slung in that position, most people would think it was pretty cool. But because the evaporative canister is required by the government, it probably carries a stigma. Motorcyclists tend to resent being told what to put on their bikes, especially where it can be seen.

My guess is that some will find a way to remove it. Others, more enlightened, will find a way to hide it somewhere else on the motorcycle.

I suggest someone make a sell a nice chrome cover for it. Maybe with "cooling louvers" cut into it. Make it a point of pride. After all, these canister systems usually are "performance items" in the sense that they save gas.

Update: The Sun newspaper of San Bernardino has an interesting profile of Doug Douglas Motorcycles and owner Art Guilfoil at this link.

Royal Enfields get attention in California, Orange County Register notes

New Royal Enfield motorcycles are on sale in California at last. Orange County Register reporter Brittany Levine discovered them at San Clemente Scooter and Cycle Supply, Orange County's only Royal Enfield dealership.

Owner Chris Smith told her that the new Royal Enfield is "just a magnet" for customers, with older ones coming in to reminisce and younger ones attracted by the style.

The reporter was kind enough to quote me as well. I pointed out that Google Analytics used to show that most readers of this blog were in New York, with California far behind. I used to joke that my only readers in California were my dad in Van Nuys, and the rest of my family scattered around Los Angeles.

No more. Today, the biggest readership of this blog is in California, by far. It's an indication that Royal Enfield motorcycles are of tremendous interest in the state that sets the pace for motorcycle sales in the U.S.

Very rare Royal Enfield G5 Military for sale, new but if you want it, you must act now

UPDATE: This news flash just in from Rhett Waldock at Royal Enfield USA: "This bike is on the move! The G5 Military was so rare and so popular that, naturally, it was the first California demo bike purchased when we offered the California demos up to our 49-state dealer network. It was purchased by Scoots 4 U in Volo, Ill. and will be on its way to the Land of Lincoln shortly. I don’t think it’s pre-sold at the dealership, but anyone who’s interested in it should now contact Bob at Scoots 4U: scooterdude@prodigy.net or 815-363-4720."

You can own a brand new and very special Royal Enfield G5 Military motorcycle but you must act now.

I've been contacted by readers who want one of the few G5 Militarys that exist. It's easy to see why. The G5 has the ruggedly handsome look of vintage Government Issue gear — and, unlike the C5 Military, it has a kick start lever. Very GI.

Not many were imported into the U.S.

Where is this rare motorcycle? Well, oddly, it's in California. But you can only register it somewhere else. Kevin Mahoney, president of Royal Enfield USA, explains:

"As it happens I have one just coming up for sale today in California. It is a non-California bike, so it can only be sold in the (other) 49 states.

"It's a G5 Military — 2009 (very rare) 407 miles (Stock number LO721). It was a magazine bike. It has never been titled and comes with a full warranty. This is a very nice bike and was set up very very carefully because of its role in magazines.

"The contact is Matt Capri at South Bay Triumph. His number is 310-784-7693.

"Time is of the essence as I am going to start to sell my California demo bikes through dealers starting Oct. 21. If you have someone who wants one, they should call Matt right now, or it may be gone.

"As for finding bikes (in general) that is not always as simple as it should be. We (Royal Enfield USA) do not know offhand who has what on their floors. If it is a current model any dealer who doesn't have one can get one as we have most everything in stock at present.

"If they are looking for a rare bike such as a G5 Military or a Red Deluxe G5 (discontinued color, one of my favorites and rare as hens teeth in the G5) calling (your dealer) is a good bet, or we can sometimes help. I do have one Red Deluxe G5 coming up for sale at a dealership in California today as well. Not a California bike, but anyone in the 49 states could get it.

"The California dealers are now open for business and have inventory. There are 12 bikes in the state that were used for various magazines, demos, samples etc. that are available to be sold by those dealers. The two above are the two really rare ones."

As always, the bottom line is this: if you want a new Royal Enfield call your dealer now.

I did, 10 years ago. I've never regretted it.

They're uncrating Royal Enfieds in LA

Royal Enfield Los Angeles is uncrating Royal Enfield motorcycles, as this photograph from their Facebook page illustrates.

The sound you hear is the champagne cork popping as the full Royal Enfield model line becomes available at authorized dealers in California. Until now, if you wanted a new Royal Enfield to ride in California, you were on your own.

Now you can buy the popular Bullet C5 Classic and other Royal Enfields, at seven dealerships in California: Doug Douglas Motorcycles in San Bernardino; Il Motorino in Soquel; Munroe Motors in San Francisco; NoHo Scooters in North Hollywood; Rocket Motorcycles in San Diego; San Clemente Scooters in San Clemente; and South Bay Triumph in Lomita.

The motorcycles are California legal, and the first 100 to sell will be specially numbered.

Pass the champagne.

100 new Royal Enfields sold in California will be special numbered editions

Selling new Royal Enfield motorcycles in California is a huge step forward for the brand in the United States. I've predicted that the classic, British style motorcycle will be a big hit in the state that sets the pace for the rest of the country when it comes to having fun.

Royal Enfield will take note of this landmark moment in its history: the first 100 Royal Enfield motorcycles sold in California will be numbered special editions, Royal Enfield USA president Kevin Mahoney said.

"The state of California will have the last piece of paperwork to begin selling Sept. 23 so hopefully within the next two weeks we will have bikes for sale in California," he said. "The first 100 will be numbered special editions."

See your dealer for details.

Royal Enfields approved for California sale

New Royal Enfield motorcycles are approved for sale in California.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) issued Executive Order M-179-0001 ordering "that the engine and emission control systems produced by the manufacturer are certified as described below for on road motorcycles."

The order was signed Monday Aug. 30, 2010 by Annette Hebert, chief of CARB's Mobile Source Operations Division, and issued Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2010.

I am indebted to reader Andy Quach for alerting me to to this. It's a big moment in Royal Enfield history in the United States. California is a huge market. Until now, riders who wanted a new Royal Enfield there had to find their own way past California's strict regulations.

Now there is a network of California dealers. With state approval, motorcycles will be for sale.

The engines approved by CARB for the model year 2011 are the new Unit Constructed Engines, with electronic ignition, fuel injection and emissions controls.

It appears from the CARB order that you may be able to tell a Royal Enfield that is approved from one that is not by its Vehicle Identification Number. There will be no "C" or "3" in the eighth position of the VIN of an approved motorcycle.

Royal Enfield shines at California show

Royal Enfield was the marquee sponsor of the Venice Vintage Motorcycle Club show July 11 in Venice Beach, Calif. It was impossible to attend the show and not realize that.

To see it would have inspired pride in any Royal Enfield owner, too often the subject of shouted questions from fellow motorists along the lines of "Hey, what year Triumph is that?"

Giant banners splashed Royal Enfield images across walls.

Examples of the new motorcycles were on display.

And there were people to talk to. From India came Royal Enfield senior manager for international business Andrew Anantharaj and Royal Enfield head of industrial design Singaravelu "Siva" Sivakumar.

From the U.S. there was President of Royal Enfield USA, Kevin Mahoney.

From California came representatives of motorcycle dealers including NoHo Scooters in North Hollywood and Doug Douglas Motorcycles in San Bernardino.

Outside the venue, privately owned motorcycles on display lined both sides of two city blocks.

I spotted only one Royal Enfield in the line-up but it was a shiny black motorcycle with a vintage helmet slung from the handlebars. Lovely.

All in all, the Venice show was an inspiring display of the brand to the California market.

California shop sold Royal Enfields in '62

Royal Enfield motorcycles are coming to California, at last. Doug Douglas Motorcycles in San Bernardino is one of the businesses that will represent Royal Enfield motorcycles in California. I noted earlier that the Doug Douglas shop is a legend in its community.

Not everyone takes time to read the comments made on blog items, so it's worthwhile dredging up this comment I got from them a couple days later:

"Hi David... just wanted to let you and the Royal Enfield fans who read your blog know that I am one of those enthusiasts myself. I'm co-owner of Doug Douglas Motorcycles and I was really surprised to see your mention of us when I was doing some online reading today.

"Like everyone else it seems we're really excited to be on the verge (finally) of having Royal Enfield here, again. I say again because the very first brand that we carried was Royal Enfield in 1962. Seems like the old is indeed new again!"

Doug Douglas Motorcycles has a 47-year history in its community, but I didn't realize it had such an early tie to Royal Enfield.

You can read more about them here.

Royal Enfield's California dealers to include some legendary shops

New Royal Enfield motorcycles becoming available in California is big news. It's interesting that some of the businesses chosen to represent Royal Enfield are already local legends in their home towns.

Case in point: there is a very complete interview with Art Guilfoil, co-owner of Doug Douglas Motorcycles on the Dealer News web site.

"There’s a sense of history that oozes from the 47-year-old shop that sits at the base of Southern California’s San Bernardino Mountains, in the city of the same name. It’s the thing that makes this Triumph and Royal Enfield shop feel more like a clubhouse and less like a dealership," according to writer Dennis Johnson.

You'll find a link to the complete Dealer News article on Jorge Pullin's blog, My Royal Enfields.

It's well worth reading. Not only do Guilfoil and co-owner Danny Manthis revere the history of their store, they've survived into the very difficult motorcycle market of today, and they have a plan to go forward.

This seems like a very good sign for Royal Enfield.

Californians really are interested in buying Royal Enfield motorcycles; I know

New Royal Enfield motorcycles go on sale in California this year, for the first time since they were made in Britain. It's a huge step forward for Royal Enfield in the United States, where the California market is not only huge but often sets the style for the rest of the nation.

I saw the effects overnight, right here on this blog. According to Google Analytics, more Californians now read this blog than residents of any other state. That's incredible, considering that, until last year, Californians who wanted a new Royal Enfield were just out of luck.

Obviously, if even my modest efforts are getting "hits," there is tremendous interest in Royal Enfield motorcycles in California.

Royal Enfied USA currently lists seven California motorcycle businesses that it plans to appoint as dealers.


View Royal Enfield plans California dealers in a larger map

Here's the latest list, according to their website:

South Bay Triumph
2101 Pacific Coast Hwy.
Lomita, CA 90717
Phone: 310-784-7693

NoHo Scooters
5144 Vineland Ave.
North Hollywood, CA 91601
Phone: 818-761-3647

Performance Cycle
5201 Auburn Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95841
Phone: 916-344-7911

Doug Douglas Motorcycles
24769 E. 5th St.
San Bernardino, CA 92410
Phone: 909-884-4776

San Clemente Scooter
707 N. El Camino Real
San Clemente, CA 92672
Phone: 949-492-4360

Rocket Motorcycles
5171 Morena Pl.
San Diego, CA 92110
Phone: 619-276-2177

Munroe Motors
412 Valencia St.
San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: 415-626-3496

Royal Enfield California dealershipalready drawing attention to the C5

California is a great state for motorcyclists and it is going to be great for Royal Enfield. You can just feel it.

"Took the C5 to the Rock Store today," the new Royal Enfield of Los Angeles dealership reported, on its Facebook fan page. "Created quite a buzz while there. Some thought it was a restored classic. Another rider showed up on an old style Bullet 500."

For more than a decade, you could buy a new Royal Enfield anywhere in the United States except California. Now, thanks to the new Unit Constructed Engine and fuel injection, Royal Enfields are going to be available for sale there soon. The state's great coast and canyon roads will make a terrific setting for the Last Great British Motorcycle (from India).

The Rock Store is a pretty nice backdrop, itself. It calls itself the most famous motorcycle stop in Southern California and says it has been featured in many commercials, films, music videos, television productions and magazine photos. According to its web site:

"Ed and Vern (Veronica) moved to Southern California from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania after World War II. They stumbled across this building, made entirely out of volcanic rock, which had been a stagecoach stop in the 1910s. They purchased this 'Rock Store,' in 1961, and created a small town grocery store out of it...

"Among the attractions are the rustic settings, celebrity sightings, hundreds of bikes to look at, poker runs, and of course the food and drinks. The Rock Store is most popular for their hefty breakfasts, BBQ Tri-tip Sandwiches, Teriyaki Chicken Sandwiches, Homemade Chili and Soups, and who can forget those ice cold beverages?"

The Rock Store is at 30354 Mulholland Hwy., Cornell, California.

California dealer will sell Royal Enfields

Royal Enfield motorcycles are on display in California at last. An Internet savy Royal Enfield dealer in North Hollywood, Calif. is spreading the news.

Mike Frankovich, owner of NoHo Scooters, announced on Facebook, Twitter, and CraigsList that his store is now also Royal Enfield Of Los Angeles.

Located at 5144 Vineland Ave., the dealership is decorated in a Hollywood movie theme, complete with King Kong climbing the Empire State Building.

It's showtime for Royal Enfield, too, now that the motorcycles will be legal for sale new in California. The "new fuel efficient, environmentally friendly fuel-injected motor means that new Enfields will finally be available in the Golden State," the dealership notes in its ad on CraigsList.

"The bikes are not CARB legal yet. They are in the middle of testing. We expect to be able to sell them in April. Right now we are just taking deposits," Frankovich said.

"My first experience with Royal Enfield was back in the late '90s," Frankovich remembers. "I met the then West Coast rep for Cosmopolitan Motors, who was the distributor at the time. I told him that they would sell in California, but they had no plans to get them through CARB.

"Since opening the shop in 2002 I have contacted the distributor every time I heard a rumor that they were getting into California.

"The retro motorcycle scene is huge in California right now. It's definitely an appeal. There is a limited supply of vintage motorcycles, and they are not getting any newer. People want the old style bike without the headache, and we can offer it with EFI, a disc brake, and a factory warranty.

"I can see customers coming from all over Los Angeles. Most of our scooter sales are from the Hollywood, Silverlake, Echo Park, and Los Feliz areas. I can see this being the case with the Royal Enfield sales.

"We actually have some scooter customers that are interested in a Royal Enfield. Most scooters we sell are retro style, so the mentality is the same.

"Plus like scooterists, Royal Enfield riders are interested in getting there at their own pace with some style. These are not testosterone fueled sport bikes."

Frankovich has a wide collection of motorcycles himself. "In 2000 I bought a new Kawasaki W650, which was California legal. I do own some classic Japanese motorcycles, like a 1985 RZ350, a 1973 CL350, a 1975 CB400F, and a 1965 Trail 90... We do have a 1998 Enfield with 29 miles in the shop."

If you're in the area, stop by and see the new Royal Enfields, but wait until after noon on Sundays — I visited before they were really open and so only got a few pictures. Telephone at the dealership is (818) 761-3647.

Royal Enfield makes a spash at LA show

Royal Enfield opened its 2010 invasion of California last weekend with an appearance at the Los Angeles International Motorcycle Show in Long Beach Calif.

The booth it shared with future dealer South Bay Triumph of Lomita was crowded with Royal Enfield motorcycles and potential customers anxious to know more about them.

Spring 2010 will be the first time new Royal Enfields will meet California emissions requirements, and be legal to sell new. Since the motorcycles are unfamiliar, visitors had plenty of questions. A few comments I overheard:

"Are these legal in California?"

"They have a center stand!"

"500cc? Not 650cc?"

"Does it come in black?"

"They sell them in California now?"

"Are these restorations?"

"This is another of those Korean deals."

"They're made in India?"

"Sixty-three ninety-five, that ain't bad at all."

"Well, that's pretty cool."

It sure is. Some people have found ways to bring new Royal Enfields into California, despite the state restrictions, but it was inconvenient and there were no California dealers. Residents of the state were invariably disappointed when they inquired about purchasing a Royal Enfield.

That changes for 2010. When in 2010? I heard the month of March mentioned.


One customer asked his questions from the best seat in the house.


'I know we parked right next to a Harley, somewhere.'

The sales people I spoke to at the motorcycle show were pleased by the turnout Saturday. Los Angeles Times reporter Susan Carpenter pointed out in her story that some manufacturers didn't exhibit this year, including Vespa, KTM and, of course, Buell, which shut down in October.

She said there were 10 per cent fewer motorcycles compared to the previous year, half as many manufacturers offering demonstration rides, and fewer vendors. This reflects the slump in the U.S. economy.

Royal Enfield, meanwhile, is expanding production in India and entering new markets worldwide. Quite a different story.

In the United States, whatever the effect on sales, expansion into California will certainly increase attention to Royal Enfield. The state traditionally sets the style for the rest of the nation.